It shouldn’t be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. Collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches.
The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Catering to the glitterati of Europe, the pair counted among their clients Tolstoy, Pope Pius IX and Queen Victoria, as well as Countess Koscowicz of Hungary, for whom they created the first Swiss-made wristwatch in 1868. They also had their eye on the American market and in 1851 entered an arrangement with Tiffany & Co. still in effect today.
During the Great Depression, brothers Jean and Charles Stern, who had previously supplied Patek Philippe with watch dials, bought the company, and it continues to be run by the Stern family today.
Under the Sterns, the house has developed some of its most famous models, including the Calatrava, an elegantly minimal dress watch introduced in 1932 and named for the Calatrava Cross (the company’s logo since 1887), and the Nautilus, the brand’s first sports watch, conceived by legendary designer Gérald Genta in 1976.
Despite the house’s longevity, it’s rumored that it has manufactured fewer than a million Patek watches, making each one all the more coveted. (The brand's pieces are understandably attractive to counterfeiters — make sure you know how to spot a fake Patek Philippe watch.)
Find authentic Patek Philippe watches, cufflinks, bracelets and more on 1stDibs today.
David Webb Diamond 17.91ct Large Colombian Cabochon Emerald Yellow Gold Ring AGL
By David Webb
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Large Colombian Cabochon Emerald And Diamond Cocktail Ring by David Webb. With 1 Natural Oval Shape Cabochon Emerald 18.3 x 12.8 x 10.51mm total weight approx. 17.91c...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Diamond Fleurette Flower Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond And Emerald Flower Band Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 13 diamonds, VS1 Clarity, G Color. Total Diamond Weight approx. 1.00ctw. 3 Emeralds total weight ap...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Emerald Yellow Sapphire Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond, Emerald and Yellow Sapphire Band Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 7 emerald cut diamonds, VVS1 Clarity, G Color. Total Diamond Weight approx. .50ct. 1 Heart Shape Emerald Stone total weight 1.5ct 1 Heart Shape Yellow Sapphire...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Cartier Pasha Diamond Tourmaline Aquamarine White Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
This stunning Cartier Pasha ring, crafted in luxurious 18k white gold, showcases an exquisite array of gemstones, including diamond, tourmaline, iol...
Amethyst, Tourmaline, Aquamarine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier La Dona Peridot Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Peridot La Dona Ring by Cartier. With 1 large peridot stone: 9mm x 8mm. This ring comes with an original Cartier box and Cartier certific...
Peridot, 18k Gold
Cartier Sorbet Diamond Tourmaline Sapphire White Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Tourmaline Sapphire Ruby Sorbet Ring by Cartier. With 10 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, G color total weight approx. .25ct Sapphire, Ruby and Tourmaline This ring comes with Cartier box. Details: Ring Size: European 50 US 5 1/4 Weight: 5.7 grams Width: 11mm Stamped Hallmarks: 750 Cartier 50...
Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 3.21 carat emerald diamond 18k white gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A striking and luxurious vintage design, this elegant ring centers on a vivid 3.21 carat oval cut emerald. Its richly saturated green hue and graceful oval silhouette create a captiv...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tasteful 18K White Gold Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This elegant 18K white gold cocktail ring is set with one vivid green, oval shape, emerald in the center, flanked by eight marquise shape diamonds, and bordered on the top and bottom...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Oval Cut Emerald and Pavé Diamond Double Halo Cocktail Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring Size: 6.25 This breathtaking emerald and diamond cocktail ring, set in dazzling 14 karat white gold, is the epitome of sophistication. The focal point of this luxurious piece i...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Oval Cut Emerald And Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Oval Cut Emerald And Diamond Ring A ring featuring an oval cut center emerald surround by single cut diamonds. Emerald Weight: approximately 1.00 carats Ring Size: 6.5 Complime...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Anniversary Ring 18K White Gold with Natural Emerald 1.32ct., Natural Diamonds
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
This elegant emerald and diamond ring in 18K white gold is a timeless expression of sophistication and refined Italian craftsmanship. Handcrafted in our Italian atelier, the ring fea...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 0.50 Carat Emerald and 0.90 Carat Diamond Platinum Ring Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 0.50 carat emerald and 0.90 carat diamond, platinum square dress ring; part of our emerald jewelry collection. This stunning, fine and impres...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Launched in 1932, the model has become emblematic of quality craftsmanship and timeless design.
A true icon of the much-coveted category of World Time watches, this rare model represents an important milestone in the history of one of the brand's signature complications.
